Snap-hook



B. M CARROLL. SNAP HOOK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY16| 1917- 1 ,329,071 Patented Jan. 27, 1920.

INVENTOR WITNESSES I BY MM Q ATTORNEY nnrrnn srrarps PATENT OFFICE.

BASIL M. CARROLL, 0F RISING STAR, TEXAS.

SNAP-HOOK.

Application filed May 18, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Basin M. CARROLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rising Star, in the county of Eastland and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Snap-Hooks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in hooks and more particularly to snap hooks.

It has for its principal object the construction of the hook in such a manner that it may be easily attached to an object but cannot be accidentally detached.

A further object is the provision of means whereby the snap may be operated when it is desired to attach or remove the hook and the provision of means for automatically returning the snap into engagement with the bill of the hook.

Another object is the construction of the shank of the hook in such a manner that the finger may be engaged under one end of the snap for operating the same.

With these and other objects in View the invention consists in the novel details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more clearly understood from the following description and drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan, and

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical setion.

In carrying out my invention, the snap hook comprises a casting 1 having the ears 2 formed on each end of one side thereof and a bolt 3 passes through the ears and is secured in position by means of nuts 4.. A sleeve 5 is loosely mounted upon the bolt 3, between the ears, and the looped end 6 of a strap is adapted to extend around the sleeve, as indicated in the drawing.

A shank 7 is formed at the lower edge of the casting 1 on that side opposite to that containing the ears, and as is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, this shank extends upwardly at an angle from the casting. Flanges 8 are formed on each side of the shank 7 and the outer end of the shank is bent downwardly, as indicated at 9 and curves upwardly to form the bill 10. By havin the shank extend upwardly from the casting 1, and then downwardly, as indicated at 9, a shoulder 11 is formed for the purpose, as will be presently. described. 'l'he points of the hook indicated at (band Z2,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 27, 1920.

Serial No. 169,066.

will be on a line so that the hook may lie flat against any surface when desired.

A plate 12 having one end enlarged, as 1ndicated at 13, forms the snap of the hook and has a downwardly extending flange 14 along each edge thereof, whereby it may be pivotally connected to the flange 8 by means of a bolt 15 extending through both the flanges let and 18. As is indicated in the drawing, the flanges 14 lie outside of the flanges A coiled spring 16 is received between the shank 7 and the plate 12 and normally forces the enlarged end 13 into engagement with the underside of the bill 10, as is more particularly indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. In the drawing, the hook 1 is shown connected to a ring 17, but it will be understood that the hook might be easily attached to any number of objects. As illustrated in the drawing, the end 18 of the plate 12 terminates a distance from the casting 1 whereby sufiicient space is left so that a finger may be placed oeneath the end of the plate, if necessary, entering the space between the flanges 8, for operating the snap. It can be seen that by raising upon the end 18 of the pla e 1:2 the enlarged end 13 will be lowered out of engagement with the end of the bill.

Having described the detailed construction of the hook, it is thought that the advantages and mode of operation will be clearly understood. As previously stated, by having the points a and 7) on alinement, the hook may lie flat against any object. When the hook is to be connected to a ring or other object, the ring or other object is pressed against the end 13 of the snap plate and the end will be lowered, thereby allowing the ring or other object to enter the bill and assume the position indicated in the drawing. Should the ring 17 be forced backwardly out of engagement with the bill, it would ride up upon the inclined portion 9 and engage the underside of the enlarged end 13 thereby holding said enlarged end tightly against the end of the bill so that the ring would not be disconnected from the hook. lVhen it is desired to disconnect the hook, the finger is placed beneath the end 18 of the plate 12, space being left for this purpose between the end of the plate and the casting 1 and by raising the end of the plate the enlarged end 13 will be lowered and the ring may be removed. When the finger is disengaged the coiled spring 16 will force the end 13 into engagement with the end of the bill 10. While I have described the disengaging of the hook by engaging the finger under the end 18 of the plate 12 it will be understood that if desired, the

hookmight be disengaged by merely pressing down upon the top of the plate 12 and compressing the spring 16 in this manner.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

A snap hook including a body equipped with a bill at one end and upstanding sides the sides of the body and keeper, in advance of the pivotal axis of the latter, and exerting an upward pressure thereon to insure its snug engagement with said bill, said body being bulged inwardly to provide a constricted portion midway between the axis of the keeper and the free terminal of the hook bill to cause a wedging action against said keeper by rearward movement of an element carried in the bill, the said keeper falling short of the rear ends of the sides 01 said body so as to provide a recess for the insertion of an element beneath said keeper whereby the latter may be moved upwardly against the resistance oi the spring for opening the bill of the hook;

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BASIL M. CARROLL. Witnesses J. C. HENRY, W. H. HENDERSON. 

